the vatican is firing back at italian media reports on why pope benedict has decided to resign. they're reporting his resignation happened the very same day the pope received a bombshell. an explosive 300-page vatican report about gay sex scandals and financial core runs. want to bring in professor vince from emory university. the vatican says it's gossip designed to influence the pope. when you heard this, what was your reaction? >> yeah, it's really hard to say, right, without confirmation of these allegations. it's difficult to know. but, you know, the confluence of the resignation with these accusations is going to raise a lot of eyebrows. >> why would the vatican come out and respond to something that they are -- you know, is just rumors? this is larepublica? why would they respond to something they think are rumors? it appears they're giving credence if you respond. >> it's hard to say, right? the good press/bad press. bad press can be truly bad press. but without confirmation, we have to stick what the pope himself said, he's resigning because he's elderly and feels he ca